Currently

First of all, YAY FOR FRIDAY!!!! I am sooo thankful the weekend is almost here!!

So I haven't done a "currently" post in about 7 months and I decided that it's time to do another one. We've reached one of our busiest times of the school year as we approach the downhill stretch to summer, and we're right in the middle of our sports season. So the timing is perfect given how limited my opportunities are for blogging right now. Obviously. One day hopefully I'll get back into a blogging groove. Anyway...

Here's a pretty accurate look at life around here currently. 😊

*Eating... This week we've had tacos (my family LOVES tacos), pizza from our favorite pizza place (our big meal of the week... poppyseed chicken.... had to be postponed thanks to our oven going out... it's since been repaired, yay), Terrell grilled steaks Wednesday night (yum!), and last night was game night so we grabbed the boys some chicken nuggets afterward and Terrell and I had leftover pizza. Phew. Even though we had the early game, eating afterwards meant not getting the kiddos in bed until almost 9. Mama is tired this morning.

*Planning... Currently we are planning for Easter! We do Easter buckets at our house for the kiddos and we've yet to get a single thing. #eeesh Terrell and I also have to finalize what we're going to wear because I like our colors to coordinate a little. 😊 We are also in the early stages of planning our anniversary weekend. We'd like to try somewhere new this year but haven't had much time to look into different places and do our research yet. Plus, the beach is honestly the safest, cheapest, and best guaranteed get-away ever. So there's that to consider. But it's almost decision time!! 

*Loving... The fact that so far Spring allergies are non-existent for me! #allthepraisehands I'm also loving watching all 3 of my boys play sports, Terrell and I enjoying a show together every night, each one of our school years this year, a chance to sleep in on the weekends, my husband doing our laundry, my boys' love of books, reading, and the library, and the view of our pool and knowing we're approaching swim season!

*Not Loving... Feeling exhausted all the time. Gracious. I'm starting to think it's time to accept it. It is what it is, as they say. It doesn't appear to be going away so I might as well face it as reality. Boo. Hopefully it's normal. And possibly even worse lately thanks to the time change. I have started taking a one-a-day energy vitamin. It's still early so I can't decide about it's effectiveness just yet. But here's to hoping!

*Watching... We are currently watching all of our favorites. Blindspot, Swat (a new one this season for us that we're enjoying), Designated Survivor, This is Us, Scorpion, Survivor, Hawaii Five-O, and Blue Bloods. Blindspot is probably our fave because every episode is surprising and suspenseful and they all connect to a larger story. So it's the one we always watch "on time". We also stay up to date on Survivor. This is Us is one we both love but sometimes you have to pass when you aren't feeling up for watching anything "heavy". (Although in defense of the show, not all of the episodes are heavy. But they are all awesome. Sooo good.) Designated Survivor, Swat, Hawaii Five-O, and Blue Bloods are all reliable and good and Scorpion just makes us laugh. It's a drama but the characters are super funny. So. It's a good time for TV right now. 😊

*Reading... I just started reading an older book of Elin Hilderbrand's, The Blue Bistro, and I'm loving it. She's definitely my fave author. I just love her writing and her books. And the setting! And, for the first time ever, I'm reading a book via Kindle. #shocking My mom let me borrow hers because I've been needing something fictional to read. I have a couple of other choices in my possession but I decided I just wanted a good fictional read for right now. 

*Trying... To keep the house *somewhat* cleaned, to stay on top of lesson plans, to get to bed every night at a decent time, to adjust to this crazy time change, to make time for blogging (it's been a challenge lately!), to continue making pictures of everyday life (another challenge lately), and to figure out how and when to get some Easter goodies for the boys.

*Hoping... For a good and healthy weekend and week leading up to Spring Break! We don't have any big plans for our week off but we want everyone well so we're able to enjoy our break to the fullest. We're almost there! 

*Wanting... To finalize our backyard project (and pick out some poolside and deck furniture!), my boys to continue enjoying school as we get closer and closer to wrapping up this school year (I can hardly believe just how close we are!), my house to clean itself (hahahahaha, if only), to stay calm and on top of everything school related, and to make a few fun and simple Spring Break plans.

*Needing... To schedule lots of appointments for all of us but having no idea how or when to fit them in. #thestruggleisreal We are behind on ALL of our regular check-ups. Layton's well-check is finally coming up next week but so far that's the only one I've managed to prioritize thanks to needing his immunizations up to date for his PreK registration. Garrison is past due for an eye appointment, all of us are past due for dentist appointments, and I'm way past due for my annual girl check up. Working full time has thrown a wrench in all of our scheduling of and making it to appointments. And I hate feeling like I'm neglecting the simple things that are really important. But I'm pretty much stumped on when to make them happen! I don't like scheduling appointments during breaks because I want our breaks to be fun and laid back instead of full of appointments. I also don't like needing sitters on breaks because, this year especially, we've needed sitters, aka grandparents, daily. Then there's the fact that it's hard for me to take off work right now because of my para still being on maternity leave and thanks to all the things we have going on at school this Spring. So mama is struggling. I'm thinking I *might* have to bite the bullet and take some half-days this Spring to get in my appointments. And I think I'm going to need Terrell to tackle some of the appointments with the kids. We'll see what we can figure out I guess. Gracious. 

I think that covers just about everything. 😊 We are sooo looking forward to our weekend!! It's going to be fairly low-key and we can't wait! Have a great one!!

A

Friday Favorites: Life Lately

This week has been a good one. We are all still adjusting to the time change, especially mama and daddy, but overall this week has been on the laid back side. #allthepraisehands

Here's our favorite happenings lately...

*Garrison's soccer season kicked off a couple of weeks ago and afterwards we went out to lunch and these 2 shared some post-game analysis. I loved our family lunch date and listening to these two go over the game. 😊

*This seems to happen every year but it's my favorite. My beautiful tree blooms in the Winter. This week has been pretty chilly but our warm days before the cold front brought out one of my favorite views of almost-Spring. 

*This cutie is my favorite Cat in the Hat. Read Across America week was a fun one.

*Cold and rainy Sunday afternoons are perfect for movies!

*Last week when Terrell was out of town I got to take Layton to school for the first time this school year! We were both super excited. 😊 It was definitely a big deal and something I'm thankful I worked out to do. 

*On Saturday my baby boy played in his very first tee ball game! He had fun and did great! 

*Watching him get ready for his first at bat was the sweetest. Hitting is his favorite. Haha. Although during last night's game he took his role in the outfield pretty seriously. 😊

*We enjoyed some cancelled practices this week and got in some fun game nights. Yay for laid back evenings at home! (This particular game night was hilarious because Garrison read his book in-between turns, Layton played with another game in-between turns, and Austin was our only serious player. Ha!)

*Fidget spinner trading, games, and spinning competitions have been a favorite here this week. And 3 boys playing together and getting along perfect while mama cooks is the BEST!

*Last night was a crazy one start to finish for us. We had team pictures for everybody, a practice for Garrison, a late game for Austin and Layton, plus had to find a way to feed everyone at some point. So it was wild. But I must say I loved eating my fast-food in the car and watching Garrison and his best bud practice soccer drills together. And then I loved cheering on my babies in their baseball game. (And things were so exciting and intense that I completely forgot to get a single picture.) It was such a fun game and win for our little team. 

We are pretty wiped out this morning. Last night was a LATE one for all of us. But we're sooo thankful it's Friday and we're looking forward to a great weekend! Depending on the weather Garrison is supposed to play twice this weekend, I'm going to try to do a little house cleaning, we have a birthday party, church, and hopefully lots of extra rest!

Happy Friday!!

Weekend Restoration

That's how this past weekend felt. Restoration of home and family life and the normal routine again. #PraiseJesus

Terrell was out of town last week and let's just say I'm not my best self when he's not here. Unfortunately I just don't handle ALL THE THINGS, all by myself, all that great. My husband is pretty wonderful. He does a lot around here and is the best teammate. So it is HARD not having my partner here. I thought this particular trip had the potential to be a tad easier with the kids being a little older... and I do believe it's a little easier now that they are more independent, but now I'm working full time and that's a whole 'nother challenge I completely underestimated. #majorly 

When the boys were much younger and Terrell first began traveling for work (thank goodness it isn't very often anymore!), I was staying home and remember feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, but also relieved that some things could wait until tomorrow. The laundry, the mess, the errands. 

This go round, that just wasn't possible. There was no putting off until tomorrow because there would be no time tomorrow. I'd hardly even be home tomorrow! School, home, after school routine/homework, supper, practice, baths, bedtime, and finally, exhaustion (for mama). Repeat. I managed to do 1 and a half loads of laundry all week. The first load I started on Monday night, dried on Tuesday afternoon some time, and put away on Wednesday. The 2nd load was started on Wednesday and dried on Wednesday but that's as far as we made it. The piles of laundry grew and grew and I literally wasn't home, or awake, enough to do any of it.

I also wasn't able to tackle any of the messes that accumulated while I was on my own. School papers, toys, books, beyblades, etc. Everything around here felt neglected. I didn't cook one single time. I think I cried or came really close to crying at some point every day due to frustration or being overwhelmed or wondering why do I stink at this? or how can I keep up with my lesson plans and school responsibilities AND my kids and the house?? I even wondered more than once what I'd do if something ever happened to Terrell. I mean boys are crazy. I need my husband! Satan attacked me and I felt too worn out to fight back. It almost always occurred around bedtime. I think it was the exhaustion of the day catching up with me. Plus I still had things to do after getting the kids to bed. Plus I couldn't talk to Terrell much on this trip because he had a roommate. Boo.

Thankfully every moment of the week wasn't challenging and hard. I had lots of help, I was able to take Layton to school for the first time this school year (which we both loved!), the boys got along really well for the most part, and our mornings went almost perfect. I think I just felt like there was SO much to do and I was flat worn out. It felt impossible. Plus I got sort of discouraged living in the mess... and sort of frustrated with myself for being overwhelmed.... and sort of had some short lived pity parties. (I couldn't dwell in self-pity because who had the time or energy?!)

So last week was challenging. And even now, just a few days removed from flying solo, I can already make myself feel a little like a failure and wonder just a teensy bit why it was such a big deal. One day I know I'll look back and think it wasn't that hard. But that's why I want to write about it. I want to be real and transparent and remember that in the moment it was hard. God blessed us with everything we needed but mama was challenged. There were some tears, there was some craziness, there were most definitely some messes, but we did it and the boys hopefully aren't scarred. 

The weekend, which began for us Friday morning as we hardly saw each other Thursday evening even though Terrell was back home, the weekend brought restoration and sweetness. Our family found our groove. My husband became king of the laundry. (YAY! Haha!) I managed some dusting and vacuuming. We made a family effort to get all the things back where they belonged. We rested. We enjoyed having everyone back under one roof. We laughed, yelled, refereed, cheered, prayed, and loved together. It wasn't perfect, but it was. It was a gift from God and so full of grace.

Last week felt long and I definitely struggled through it, but this weekend made it worth it. I think we all felt restored. Except for the time change. This particular time change isn't my friend and didn't do much to help me recover from my exhausting week, but we still had such a great one. We enjoyed a family date to Chick fil A on Friday night, opening day of baseball Saturday, lots of downtime at home, a great morning at church, a lazy, rainy Sunday afternoon, and I even managed to get some of my school work done.

And now as we start another week, the laundry is tackled, the house is back in order, for the most part, and daddy is home sweet home. We love and appreciate him so!!

Weekend restoration was a sweet blessing we are all thankful for!

Friday Favorites: Back to the Grind

This week was back to the grind for us. It was a good week but this teacher-mama is WIPED. Gracious. I am in serious slo-mo this morning but so thankful for Friday!!

Here's a look at my favorite happenings from our week...

*This is actually from sometime around Valentine's Day and just never got posted and shared but my middle man finished his first "chapter" book! He was so proud!! He read a chapter aloud to me or Terrell almost every night for a week. It was the perfect first chapter book for him. 

*Now he is officially all about chapter books. Haha! He sees Garrison reading through tons of chapter books and wants to read some of what he's reading too. Bless him. While he can skim chapter a few Magic Treehouse and Junie B. books he isn't quite ready to read them independently yet. 😉

*Last week on our sunniest, prettiest day our pool looked sooo tempting! We can't wait for summer! And landscaping!! Ha!

*Terrell planned a date night for us on Friday night and even arranged for the boys to spend the night with my parents. He has always been so intentional about dating me. I love him. (And I need to do better with planning some dates for us too!) We had such a great night together. Sleeping in on Saturday morning was the best!

*Later on Saturday we let the boys take a quick dip in the pool. The temp was around 80, our water temperature had been on the rise, and they'd been begging to swim thanks to our Spring like weather all week. So we caved. And Garrison was the only one to actually swim... for like 5 minutes tops. The water was just too cold! Haha! Austin got good and wet and Layton opted for toes in the water. 😊

*These 2 are peas in a pod. I love their sweet little friendship. And pre-nap time routine at Granna's. 😊

*When practice for all the boys was cancelled on Monday we went to the library after school for more books! Layton was so patient with his brothers while searched and searched for books. They LOVE our library. 

*Speaking of the library, I got me a new book too. This is my first book by Kristin Hannah and I'm liking it so far. 

*We got in a family walk/run and bike ride this week too! This is becoming one of our favorite hobbies. I got in a second walk solo later in the week and the boys and Terrell got in a second walk the afternoon I worked late. Thankfully the temperature has been perfect for getting in our walks. It hasn't been too hot or too cold. Once it gets too hot we'll have to switch to laps in the pool cause mama doesn't do hot so well. 😊

*My view was the best!

*And so was the sunset!

*Read across America week this week has been fun. And the only picture I remembered was Austin with his silly socks. Haha. He loved wearing his green and orange socks all day. 

*My verse and chapter of the week! Isaiah 40. I will be meditating on this chapter for a while. So thankful for the way He speaks through His Word.

*On Sunday afternoon we cleaned up and cleaned out the boys' rooms and made a few changes. We moved the rocking chair out of Layton's room (*tear*), moved the dress-up box into Layton's room, and rearranged just a couple of small things in their rooms. Layton's room looks so much more spacious and "big boy" now. I'm loving it. (I made the pictures last night really quick so his bed isn't picture perfect. Ha.)

His room is one of my faves now. 😊

*Austin Selph lost another bottom tooth and earned himself another 2 dollars from the tooth fairy! 😊

 We are soooo looking forward to our weekend! I have a girls night tonight (yay!!!), we have Garrison's first soccer game tomorrow, and we are planning to rest and relax plenty too! Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!